Hailed as the star red variety in Spain’s most celebrated wine region, Tempranillo from Rioja, or simply labeled, “Rioja,” produces elegant wines with complex notes of red and black fruit, crushed rock, leather, toast and tobacco, whose best examples are fully capable of decades of improvement in the cellar.
Rioja wines are typically a blend of fruit from its three sub-regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental, although specific sub-region (zonas), village (municipios) and vineyard (viñedo singular) wines can now be labeled. Rioja Alta and Alavesa, at the highest elevations, are considered to be the source of the brightest, most elegant fruit, while grapes from the warmer and drier, Rioja Oriental, produce wines with deep color, great body and richness.
Vintner Notes
Beautiful garnet color with reddish reminiscences. In the nose we find mature black fruit and licorice in perfect balance with the aromas coming from the barrel aging such as vanilla, toffee, tobacco leaves, etc. On the palate, its passage is smooth and silky. The slight final acidity gives the wine a length with an aftertaste of balsamic and fruity notes. Recommended with all the dishes from the Mediterranean diet.
Ratings
Robert Parker 91.The 2012 Cune Gran Reserva, a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, matured in barrel for two years and was kept in bottle for three years before it was released. It had a lot of freshness, with notes of red fruit and an iron-like touch, reminiscent of beef blood and meat, austere and serious. The oak is pretty much in the background. The palate is sleek and polished, with fine tannins and a soft mouthfeel. Very good balance and drinkability.
